Review: Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Candide

Menier Chocolate Factory

Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd December 2013

The Menier Chocolate Factory has once again been transformed for its revival of Leonard Bernstein's 1956 Operetta Candide. Set in the round, Paul Farnsworth's inventive design allows the cast to glide around and in-between the audience, meaning at times heads have to be turned to see what is going on. This never becomes tiresome and adds to the excitable atmosphere. Usually when reviewing shows set in the round I find myself complaining about the cast favouring a particular side, but Matthew White's swift direction ensures no part of the audience is neglected.

Big Interview: Cassidy Janson

At the moment Cassidy Janson is one of the busiest actors in musical theatre. Not only is she currently starring in Aria Entertainment’s production of Blood Wedding at the Courtyard Theatre, but during the day she is rehearsing with an all-star cast for the Menier Chocolate Factory’s production Candide.

Earlier this year Cassidy won rave reviews for starring in Rooms: A Rock Musical at the Finborough Theatre and created the role of Trinity in The Route To Happiness at the Landor Theatre as part of Aria Entertainment’s From Page To Stage season of new writing. 

Cassidy famously played Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut in the West End production of Avenue Q, created the role of Maggie in the original West End production of Lend Me A Tenor The Musical and was in the original West End production of Wicked, eventually taking over as Standby Elphaba.

Some of Cassidy’s other theatre credits include: Amy in Company (Southwark Playhouse), Jude in Bridget Jones: The Musical directed by Stephen Daldry (workshop), Polly Baker in Crazy for You (Kilworth House), Sam in Austentatious (Landor) , Sarah in Only the Brave (Edinburgh Festival 2008), Susan in Tick Tick …Boom! (Menier Chocolate Factory), Rusty in Footloose (UK tour), Brenda in Brenda Bly Teen Detective (Bridewell), Newsrevue (Canal Café) and Snoopy (Jermyn Street Theatre).

Recently I spoke to Cassidy about doing her first ever play, returning to the Menier Chocolate Factory and her time in the West End productions of Wicked and Lend Me A Tenor...

What was the rehearsal process like for Blood Wedding?

Really, really good. It’s just so exciting being a part of such a talented cast and everyone is so nice as well! It’s lovely to be doing such a heavy piece of theatre with such generous and thoughtful people; we’re having quite a laugh!

Jackie Clune and James Dreyfus join Menier Chocolate Factory's Candide

It has been announced that Jackie Clune and James Dreyfus will also star in the Menier Chocolate Factory's upcoming production of Candide as the Old Lady and Dr Pangloss.

They join a cast which features many West End favourites including: Fra Fee as Candide, Cassidy Janson as Paquette, Ben Lewis as Govenor and Vanderdendur, Scarlett Strallen as Cunegonde and David Thaxton as Maximillian. The cast also includes: Carly Anderson, Jeremy Batt, Michael Cahill, Christopher Jacobsen, Frankie Jenna, Rachel Spurrell, Helen Walsh and Matt Wilman.

With music by Leonard Bernstein, book adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler, lyrics by Richard Wilbur with additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein, Candide is set to run at the Menier Chocolate Factory this Christmas. The production will open on 2nd December 2013 (previews from 22nd November) and runs until to 22nd February 2014.

Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee, Cassidy Janson, Ben Lewis and David Thaxton to star in Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory

It has been announced that Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee, Cassidy Janson, Ben Lewis and David Thaxton will star in the Menier Chocolate Factory's Christmas musical Candide. The show features music by Leonard Bernstein, book adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler, lyrics by Richard Wilbur and additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein.

Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee & Cassidy Janson,

From Westphalia to the far reaches of the New World, Candide's journey of discovery is anything but dull. Through anguish, happiness, loss and love this is a whirlwind adventure that seeks to prove 'life is happiness indeed'. Leonard Bernstein's joyous musical comedy features a classic overture and 'Make Our Garden Grow' (both of which were performed on the Last Night of the Proms) and 'Glitter and Be Gay'.

Menier Chocolate Factory to revive 'Candide' this Christmas

It has been announced that the Menier Chocolate Factory will stage a revival of Leonard Bernstein's 1956 Broadway classic 'Candide' this Christmas. The production will open on 2nd December 2013 (previews from 22nd November) and run until to 22nd February 2014.

Candide tells the story of a young man determined to follow his instructor's creed of mindless optimism. Even after being banished from his homeland, captured by Bulgarians, beaten by the Spanish Inquisition, robbed of everything he owns, and torn repeatedly from the woman he loves, Candide still clings to the Panglossian belief that everything is for the best in this, "the best of all possible worlds".